The new stretch of Loop 202 from Arizona Avenue to Gilbert Road in Chandler experienced its first traffic jam on Saturday as 15,000 people exited a freeway opening celebration.

Brand new in design for 2008, the Ford Focus takes center stage as a midsize coupe and sedan that seems just right for today’s car buyer. Completely redesigned from the ground up the ’08 Ford Focus looks a lot like midsize sedans coming from Honda or Toyota than it does to its aging predecessor from Ford. And that’s a good thing.

Last fall the Santan corridor was a force of change — raising hopes, conjuring fears, gobbling up lengthy commutes and open desert space. Our 2005 “Life Intersects the Santan” series told the stories of men and women facing change from the new freeway as it plowed toward completion across Chandler, Gilbert and east Mesa.

Since buying a home in Queen Creek in July, Jason Bagley has watched and waited for the Santan Freeway to come closer to his home. On Monday, the latest leg of Loop 202, running from Arizona Avenue to Gilbert Road, is scheduled to open to motorists — and draw three miles closer to Bagley’s home.

Since buying a home in Queen Creek in July, Jason Bagley has watched and waited for the Santan Freeway to come closer to his home. On Monday, the latest leg of Loop 202, running from Arizona Avenue to Gilbert Road, is scheduled to open to motorists — and draw three miles closer to Bagley’s home.

For Michael Woods, it means room to build a family. "We were just looking for a starter home in Gilbert or Chandler," he says. "Now we have 1,900 square feet out in Queen Creek."

For Michael Woods, it means room to build a family. "We were just looking for a starter home in Gilbert or Chandler," he says. "Now we have 1,900 square feet out in Queen Creek."

Following a flurry of land purchases the last two years, construction will finally begin at Gilbert’s massive auto mall.

An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people sweated out the warm weather Saturday for a chance to walk, bike and skate on a new segment of Loop 202 in Chandler scheduled to open June 20.

An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people sweated out the warm weather Saturday for a chance to walk, bike and skate on a new segment of Loop 202 in Chandler scheduled to open June 20.

The Santan corridor already has as many shops as Scottsdale, but developers are building new retail centers there faster than in any other segment of the Valley, including the much-hyped West Valley.

Look at a map of Loop 202’s Santan Freeway and you’ll notice its path steers clear of the booming Queen Creek area.